Arsène Wenger dismissed suggestions that the absence of Cesc
Fabregas lead to Arsenals defeat at Middlesbrough on Sunday.
Once again, the Frenchman was without five major players when he
sent his side out at the Riverside Stadium. Having picked up a win
and a draw from trips to Villa and Newcastle over the course of the
previous week, Wenger was hopeful of restoring his sides
four-point lead at the top of the table.
However Stewart Downings third-minute penalty and Tuncays
excellent second consigned Arsenal to their first domestic defeat
in eight months. Speaking after the game, the Arsenal manager
acknowledged his sides injury problems but refused to put the
defeat down to the absence of any individual.
I dont like to speak about the players who are not here, he
said. I always have confidence in the players who play. When you
go into a season you know you will miss some players at some
stage.
At the moment we miss players in the same area. That handicaps a
little bit our creative potential. But it does not mean we have to
give away a penalty after three minutes.
